Collapsible Storage Container

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a collapsible storage container that quickly transitions between a container form and a collapsed form. The storage container includes a body including two hinged side panels, two non-hinged side panels, and a hinged bottom panel, wherein upon collapsing the body, the bottom panel and two hinged side panels fold along the diagonal folding lines, such that the bottom panel and two hinged side panels collapse within the two non-hinged side panels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/706,336 filed on Sep. 27, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to storage containers, particularly storage containers that may collapse into a generally flat structure.

Conventional storage boxes are generally presented to the user in a collapsed form, wherein the user must then assemble the box into a container form. Typically, assembling the storage box into the container form requires the user to unfold portions of the box to create and connect flaps and flap inserts. The time to assemble the storage box into the box form may take anywhere from one to five minutes, depending on the complexity.

In addition, many conventional boxes require insertion of an additional base piece into the area of the bottom of the container to maintain structural integrity of the container form. However, the additional base support requires additional materials and assembly time.

Boxes that do not require much assembly, such as pop-up boxes, often include at least four walls that include foldable creases. However, foldable lines or creases decrease the structural integrity of the storage box in box form.

Accordingly, there is need for a storage container that improves the structural integrity of the container form and convenient to convert from a collapsed form to the container form.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs expressed above, and others, the present disclosure provides a collapsible storage container. Various examples of the storage container are provided herein.

The disclosed collapsible storage container easily converts between a collapsed form and a container form without the need for further assembly. In addition, the present collapsible storage container has improved structural integrity without the need for an additional base support, owing to the container having only three foldable panels. The present collapsible storage container may be used to store any number of items, including, but not limited to, toys, clothes, books, magazines, and electronics, among others.

In an embodiment, the storage container includes a collapsible body including a bottom panel, two hinged side panels, and two non-hinged side panels, wherein the two hinged side panels are adjacent to each other and the two non-hinged side panels are adjacent to each other. In an example, the two non-hinged side panels are rigid and square-shaped.

The two hinged side panels and the two non-hinged side panels are foldably connected to each other and foldably connected to the bottom panel. Further, the two hinged side panels each include a diagonal hinge line extending from a first corner of the hinged side panel to a second corner of the hinged side panel, wherein the second corner of the hinged side panel is diagonally opposing the first corner of the hinged side panel. Similarly, the bottom panel includes a diagonal hinge line extending from a first corner of the bottom panel to a second corner of the bottom panel, wherein the second corner of the bottom panel is diagonally opposing the first corner of the bottom panel. Upon collapsing the storage box, the bottom panel and two hinged side panels fold along the diagonal folding lines, such that the bottom panel and two hinged side panels collapse within the two non-hinged side panels.

The container body may be configurable between a container form and a collapsed form. For example, when the body is in a collapsed form, the two non-hinged side panels may be substantially parallel to each other. In addition, when the body is in a collapsed form, the two hinged side panels may be positioned between the two non-hinged side panels.

The storage container may further include a strap for securing the bottom panel, two hinged side panels, and two non-hinged side panels in the collapsed form.

The storage container may include a top panel foldably connected to a top edge of one of the two non-hinged side panels, wherein the top panel is rigid and square shaped. In an example, at least one edge of the top panel includes a fold-over portion being arranged to fold-over at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one hinged side panel or at least one non-hinged side panel.

In another embodiment, a storage container comprises five square-shaped body panels including three hinged panels and two non-hinged panels. The five body panels form a cube-shaped storage chamber when the three hinged panels are in a first position, and the five body panels form an eight-layer, square-shaped structure when the three hinged panels are in a second position. In addition, the storage container includes a lid foldably attached to one of the two non-hinged panels.

In another embodiment, a storage container comprises a diagonally hinged first side panel that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, and a diagonally hinged second side panel that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, wherein the second side panel is connected to the first side panel along a first shared folding edge. The storage container also includes a non-hinged square third side panel connected to the second side panel along a second shared folding edge, and a non-unhinged square fourth side panel connected to the third side panel along a third shared folding edge and connected to the first side panel along a fourth shared folding edge. The storage container further includes a diagonally hinged bottom panel that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, wherein the bottom panel is connected to each of the four side panels along a corresponding shared folding edge.

In addition, the storage container includes a lid connected to either the third side panel or the fourth side panel along another shared folding edge. When the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel are unfolded, the four side panels and the bottom panel form a storage container including a cube-shaped storage chamber. When the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel are folded, the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber.

The storage container may further include a strap connecting the third side panel and fourth side panel when the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber.

When the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber, the third side panel and fourth side panel may be substantially parallel to each other. In addition, when the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber, the first side panel and second side panel may be positioned between the third side panel and fourth side panel.

An advantage of the present storage container is that the storage box is capable of quickly moving between a container form and a collapsed form without the need for additional assembly.

A further advantage of the present storage container is that it has improved structural integrity owning to the storage container only including three foldable panels.

Another advantage of the present storage container is that a user does not need to assemble the storage container before use.

Yet another advantage of the present storage container is that the storage container does not need a separate base insertion to maintain structural integrity.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1A is perspective view of an embodiment of the storage container in the container form.

FIG. 1B is perspective view of an embodiment of the storage container in transition between the container form and the collapsed form.

FIG. 1C is a side view of an embodiment of the storage container in the collapsed form.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an example of a storage container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the storage container in a disassembled state.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage container wherein the hinged panels are in a first position.

FIG. 4B is a side view of an embodiment of the storage container wherein the hinged panels are in a second position.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage container including a cube-shaped storage chamber.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage container wherein the cube-shape storage chamber is eliminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a storage container 10 that is capable of transitioning between a container form 26 and a collapsed form 28, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. The storage container 10 is configured to quickly fold between the two forms without additional assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the storage container 10 includes a collapsible body 11 including a bottom panel 12, two hinged side panels 14, and two non-hinged side panels 16, wherein the two hinged side panels 14 are adjacent to each other and the two non-hinged side panels 16 are adjacent to each other. In other words, the two hinged side panels 14 share a common edge of the body 11 and the two non-hinged side panels 16 share another common edge of the body 11. The two hinged side panels 14 and the two non-hinged side panels 16 are foldably connected to each other and foldably connected to the bottom panel 12. In an example, the bottom panel 12, the two hinged side panels 14, and the two non-hinged side panels 16 are all square-shaped.

The body 11 may include any suitable material. For example, the body 11 may include cardboard, paper, plastic, bamboo, recycled materials, and metal, among others. Preferably, the body 11 includes cardboard. The storage container 10 may further include a textile cover that surrounds an outer surface and/or inner surface of the storage container 10 for decorative and utility purposes, such as providing a soft cover to store delicate items.

In an example, the two non-hinged side panels 16 are rigid and square-shaped. The non-hinged side panels 16 are generally only foldable along the outer edges of the non-hinged side panels 16.

In contrast, the two hinged side panels 14 each include a diagonal hinge line 15 extending from a first corner 18 of the hinged side panel 14 to a second corner 20 of the hinged side panel 14, wherein the second corner 20 of the hinged side panel 14 is diagonally opposing the first corner 18 of the hinged side panel 14. Thus, the hinged side panels 14 are capable of folding along the diagonal hinge line 15 as well as along the edges of the hinged side panel 14.

Similarly, the bottom panel 12 includes a diagonal hinge line 15 extending from a first corner 22 of the bottom panel 12 to a second corner 24 of the bottom panel 12, wherein the second corner 24 of the bottom panel 12 is diagonally opposing the first corner 22 of the bottom panel 12. FIG. 2 is a top view of the storage container 10 depicting the bottom panel 12 with the diagonal hinge line 15.

The body 11 may be configurable between a container form 26, shown in FIG. 1A, and a collapsed form 28, shown in FIG. 1C. Upon collapsing the storage box 10, the bottom panel 12 and two hinged side panels 14 fold along the diagonal folding lines 15, such that the bottom panel 12 and two hinged side panels 14 collapse within the two non-hinged side panels 16, as shown in FIG. 1B. Further, in the collapsed form 28, the top panel 32 folds along the top edge 33 wherein an outer surface of the top panel 32 contacts the outer surface of the non-hinging side panel 16 that shares the top edge 33.

When the body 11 is in a collapsed form 28, the two non-hinged side panels 16 may be substantially parallel to each other. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the body 11 is in a collapsed form 28, the two hinged side panels 14 may be positioned between the two non-hinged side panels 16.

The storage container 10 may further include a strap 30 for securing the bottom panel 12, two hinged side panels 14, and two non-hinged side panels 16 in the collapsed form 28. The strap 30 may connect the two non-hinged side panels 16 in the collapsed form 28. The strap 30 may include any suitable connecting means such as snaps, buttons, loop and hook systems, clasps, and fasteners, among others. For example, the strap 30 may include a loop and hook system, such that a portion of the strap 30 that has loops is connected to one non-hinged side panel 16 and a portion of the strap 30 that has hooks is connected to the other non-hinged side panel 16. When the storage container 10 is in the collapsed form 28, the two portions of the strap 30 connect and secure the storage container 30 together.

The storage container 10 may include a top panel 32 foldably connected to a top edge 33 of one of the two non-hinged side panels 16, wherein the top panel 32 is rigid and square-shaped, as shown in FIG. 1A. In an example, at least one edge of the top panel 32 includes a fold-over portion 34 being arranged to fold-over at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one hinged side panel 14 or at least one non-hinged side panel 16. For example, the top panel 32 may have three fold over portions 34 that fold over a portion of two of the hinged side panels 16 and one of the non-hinged side panels 16, when the top panel 32 is placed over the opening created by the four side panels.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a top view of the storage container 10 in a disassembled state. In other words, FIG. 3 depicts the storage box 10 wherein the foldable edges between the side panels are removed and the storage box 10 is contained in one plane. It is understood that one or more of the hinged side panels 14 and the non-hinged side panels 16 may include additional wings or other extended portions to facilitate the assembly of the storage container 10. These additional portions are not shown in this schematic representation as the various manners in which the elements may be implemented will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosures provided herein.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, a storage container 10 comprises five square-shaped body panels 50 including three hinged panels 52 and two non-hinged panels 54. The five body panels 50 form a cube-shaped storage chamber 48 when the three hinged panels 52 are in a first position 56, as shown in FIG. 4A, and the five body panels 50 form an eight-layer, square-shaped structure when the three hinged panels 52 are in a second position 58, as shown in FIG. 4B. While described as a “square-shaped structure” with reference to the second position 58, it is understood that this description describes the storage container as a flattened three-dimensional form whose two larger dimensions, width and length, form a square and whose smaller dimension is its depth. In addition, the storage container may include a lid 60 foldably attached to one of the two non-hinged panels 54.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, a storage container 10 comprises a diagonally hinged first side panel 36 that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge 35 and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, and a diagonally hinged second side panel 38 that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge 35 and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, wherein the second side panel 38 is connected to the first side panel 36 along a first shared folding edge 37. The storage container 10 also includes a non-hinged square third side panel 40 connected to the second side panel 38 along a second shared folding edge 39, and a non-unhinged square fourth side panel 42 connected to the third side panel 40 along a third shared folding edge 41 and connected to the first side panel 36 along a fourth shared folding edge 43. The storage container further includes a diagonally hinged bottom panel 44 that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge 35 and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, wherein the bottom panel 44 is connected to each of the four side panels along a corresponding shared folding edge.

In addition, the storage container 10 may include a lid 46 connected to either the third side panel 40 or the fourth side panel 42 along another shared folding edge. When the first side panel 36, the second side panel 38, and the bottom panel 44 are unfolded, the four side panels and the bottom panel 38 form a storage container 10 including a cube-shaped storage chamber 48, as shown in FIG. 5A. When the first side panel 36, the second side panel 38, and the bottom panel 44 are folded, the four side panels and the bottom panel 44 collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber 48, as shown in FIG. 5B.

The storage container 10 may further include a strap 30 connecting the third side panel 40 and fourth side panel 42 when the four side panels and the bottom panel 44 collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber.

When the four side panels and the bottom panel 44 collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber, the third side panel 40 and fourth side panel 42 may be substantially parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 5B. In addition, when the four side panels and the bottom panel 44 collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber, the first side panel 36 and second side panel 38 may be positioned between the third side panel and fourth side panel 42.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein. 

We claim:
 1. A storage container comprising: a collapsible body including a bottom panel, two hinged side panels, and two non-hinged side panels, wherein the two hinged side panels are adjacent to each other and the two non-hinged side panels are adjacent to each other, wherein the two hinged side panels and the two non-hinged side panels are foldably connected to each other and foldably connected to the bottom panel, wherein the two hinged side panels each include a diagonal hinge line extending from a first corner of the hinged side panel to a second corner of the hinged side panel, wherein the second corner of the hinged side panel is diagonally opposing the first corner of the hinged side panel, wherein the bottom panel includes a diagonal hinge line extending from a first corner of the bottom panel to a second corner of the bottom panel, wherein the second corner of the bottom panel is diagonally opposing the first corner of the bottom panel, wherein, upon collapsing the body, the bottom panel and two hinged side panels fold along the diagonal folding lines, such that the bottom panel and two hinged side panels collapse within the two non-hinged side panels.
 2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the two non-hinged side panels are rigid and square-shaped.
 3. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the container body is configurable between a container form and a collapsed form.
 4. The storage container of claim 3 wherein the body comprises a strap for securing the bottom panel, two hinged side panels, and two non-hinged side panels in the collapsed form.
 5. The storage container of claim 1 wherein, when the body is in a collapsed form, the two non-hinged side panels are substantially parallel to each other.
 6. The storage container of claim 1 wherein, when the body is in a collapsed form, the two hinged side panels are positioned between the two non-hinged side panels.
 7. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising a top panel foldably connected to a top edge of one of the two non-hinged side panels, wherein the top panel is rigid and square-shaped.
 8. The storage container of claim 7 wherein at least one edge of the top panel includes a fold-over portion being arranged to fold-over at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one hinged side panel or at least one non-hinged side panel.
 9. A storage container comprising: five square-shaped body panels including three hinged panels and two non-hinged panels, wherein the five body panels form a cube-shaped storage chamber when the three hinged panels are in a first position, further wherein the five body panels form an eight-layer, square-shaped structure when the three hinged panels are in a second position; and a lid foldably attached to one of the two non-hinged panels.
 10. A storage container comprising: a diagonally hinged first side panel that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded; a diagonally hinged second side panel that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, wherein the second side panel is connected to the first side panel along a first shared folding edge; a non-hinged square third side panel connected to the second side panel along a second shared folding edge; a non-unhinged square fourth side panel connected to the third side panel along a third shared folding edge and connected to the first side panel along a fourth shared folding edge; a diagonally hinged bottom panel that forms a two layer triangle shape when folded along the hinge and forms a single layer square shape when unfolded, wherein the bottom panel is connected to each of the four side panels along a corresponding shared folding edge; and a lid connected to either the third side panel or the fourth side panel along another shared folding edge; wherein, when the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel are unfolded, the four side panels and the bottom panel form a storage container including a cube-shaped storage chamber; and further wherein, when the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel are folded, the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber.
 11. The storage container of claim 10 further including a strap connecting the third side panel and fourth side panel when the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber.
 12. The storage container of claim 10 wherein, when the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber, the third side panel and fourth side panel are substantially parallel to each other.
 13. The storage container of claim 10 wherein, when the four side panels and the bottom panel collapse to eliminate the cube-shaped storage chamber, the first side panel and second side panel are positioned between the third side panel and fourth side panel. 